Portarlington.

This is coolbert:

"Numbers of excuses were made for him - - that he had been 'dangerously ill with spasms and a violent bowel attack'"

Thanks here to Sir John Keegan for the lead-in to this blog entry.

The very sad [??] story of John Dawson. Lord Portarlington. English noble whose questionable behavior at Waterloo [1815] is in marked contrast to those who stood their ground against Napoleon!

First, from "The Face of Battle" by Sir John:

"The commanding officer of the 23rd [Dragoons], he had left his regiment for Brussels, probably to enjoy himself, the night before the battle and was not back by the time the battle started . . . in a frenzy of shame joined in a charge by the 18th Hussars [cavalry], in which he lost his horse"

"dra·goon - –noun 3. (formerly) a mounted infantryman armed with a short musket"

Portarlington, A SENIOR OFFICER [Colonel], NOT present when his command went into combat during the final and most climactic battle of the Napoleonic era, again, in marked contrast to his brother officers!

AND here from: "The Waterloo roll call by Charles Dalton"

"John Dawson, 2nd Earl of Portarlington, had betaken himself that same evening to Brussels or elsewhere. The consequence of this step was that 'on the morning of Waterloo, by an unfortunate mistake, he was prevented from joining his regiment [23rd Dragoons] in time to command it it in the brilliant exploits it performed on that memorable day.' His anguish was extreme. He joined the 18th Hussars, and served with Sir H. Vivian's brigade in the destructive and successful charge made by that corps towards the close of the battle. In this charge Lord Portarlington had a horse shot under him. No one who knew this nobleman doubted his courage for a moment, but his absence from duty on such an occasion necessitated his retirement from the 23rd Dgns [dragoons]. The Prince Regent showed much kind feeling Portarlington, and did his best to uphold the unfortunate officer in the eyes of the world. By the Prince's advice Lord Portarlington began his career over again, and joined the 23rd Lt. DGns [dragoons] as a cornet [lowest ranking officer] . . . In 1831 was promoted capt. [captain] on the unattached list. But the one misfortune of his life was ever before him, and the remorse from knowing that he alone was the author of it weighed upon him to such an extent that he took to dissipation, lost a large fortune, and d. [died] at a humble lodging in an obscure London slum . . . [1845]. In early life he had served in the Pa. [Peninsular War?], and was present at the battle of Talavera. He d. [died] unm. [unmarried]"

"dissipation - — n 2. unrestrained indulgence in physical pleasures, esp alcohol"

My instantaneous, intuitive and instinctive reaction is that John Dawson on the night prior to Waterloo had engaged in "wine and wench" - - awoke drunk and hung-over - - incapacitated at the EXACT WRONG MOMENT!

A man who attempted to redeem himself, but was unable to do so!

Portarlington - - a man of the English nobility, with friends in very high places [the Prince Regent], a wealthy man, given over in his later life to drink and excess of an unsavory nature, dying in a London slum, UNMARRIED!

UNMARRIED and without "issue" [male children] to carry on in a direct manner the name and title of Lord Portarlington!

John Dawson by all accounts PRIOR to Waterloo was a brave, competent and combat seasoned officer. One mistake and finis to your life and career? So it seems in the case of Portarlington!

coolbert.